Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application Archives - Page 7 of 10

21 02, 2012

I Am Not a U.S. Citizen, but I Registered to Vote….and Even Voted!

By Richard Hanus|2012-02-21T13:54:16-06:00February 21st, 2012|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), General, Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S., Removal / Deportation Proceedings and Court Hearings, U.S. Immigration Law and Legislation|Tags: basis to deport, guidance of government, Moter-Voter, naturalization, prosecutorial discretion, voter registration|

Published: February 21, 2012 For the past 5 years, I have seen more than a few variations on the theme of the “accidental” voter or voter registrant. In all but the exceptional case, the non-U.S. citizen was lured into registering to vote, or voting, because of “Motor-Voter”, the federal law that directs states, like Illinois, to incorporate a voter registration option when accepting applications for driver’s licenses and State I.D.’s. Invariably, the accidental voter or registrant is led into the voter registration process by the blind robotics of the motor voter protocol as carried out at state motor vehicle facilities, even […]

28 11, 2011

Newt’s Nerve

By Richard Hanus|2011-11-28T15:53:36-06:00November 28th, 2011|Categories: Amnesty for Immigrants in the U.S., Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Customs and Border Patrol / Travel to and from the U.S., Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S., U.S. Immigration Law and Legislation, Undocumented Immigrants and Workers in the U.S.|Tags: amnesty, humane immigration policy, immigration, presidential debates, securing the border|

Published: November 28, 2011 Watching presidential debates is not one of my favorite things to do, mainly because I have a hard time believing a single word coming out of any of the participants’ mouths. The posturing is so obvious, with each candidate trying their hardest to get their sound bites in, and say the things their “people” tell them they need to say. So it was by accident – while looking for enjoyable garbage to watch on the Dumb Box (my mother’s affectionate term for the television), that I happened upon the debate involving Republican candidates for President last week. […]

16 06, 2011

Green Cards and US Citizenship: DHS/CIS Continues Its Rapid Pace of Processing

By Richard Hanus|2011-06-16T09:12:46-05:00June 16th, 2011|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Green Cards|

Published: June 16, 2011 U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services continues to do its job with efficiency and speed when it comes to processing Applications for Naturalization (N-400) and Applications for Adjustment of Status (green card – I-485) based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, or other family or employment immigrant category with current visa availability. Immigration interviews, at least through CIS Chicago, are being scheduled with lightning speed, and card production for approvable permanent resident applicants, and oath ceremonies for approvable U.S. citizenship applicants follow within just a week or two of the interview. In my 20+ years of practicing […]

20 12, 2010

UPDATE ON “DREAM ACT”: The DREAM is Over…For Now

By Richard Hanus|2010-12-20T09:14:52-06:00December 20th, 2010|Categories: Amnesty for Immigrants in the U.S., Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S., U.S. Immigration Law and Legislation, Undocumented Immigrants and Workers in the U.S.|

Published: December 20, 2010 As most people have come to learn by now, the DREAM Act – the legislative initiative to allow for the legalization of 1 million or so undocumented individuals who came to the U.S. as children – has been shot down by Congress. The very same Republican force that gave birth to this legislative proposal a few years back was pretty much responsible for its demise. And yes, 2 +2 = 5. PUBLISHED December 20, 2010 – “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM” Copyright © 2010, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois

1 12, 2010

New Version of DREAM ACT Up For Congressional Consideration

By Richard Hanus|2010-12-01T13:38:47-06:00December 1st, 2010|Categories: Amnesty for Immigrants in the U.S., Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S., U.S. Immigration Law and Legislation, Undocumented Immigrants and Workers in the U.S.|

Published: December 1, 2010 If past experience is any guide to the future, the new and “improved” DREAM Act proposal now up for congressional consideration has little or no chance at passage. As the post 9/11 era has taught us, legislative proposals to excuse, in any way, immigration law violations generally face the bleakest of prospects. Proponents of the new DREAM act, or any other type of initiative to “go easy” on immigration violators, will surely be greeted with the same heated opposition previous versions of the proposal faced, even though the current bill comes with many more eligibility restrictions. A […]

17 11, 2010

Immigration Filing Fees to Increase on November 23, 2010

By Richard Hanus|2010-11-17T14:00:45-06:00November 17th, 2010|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Employment Authorization / Work Cards in the U.S., Employment-Based Immigration Law, Family-Based Immigration Law, Green Cards, Immigrant Visas for Spouse / Fiancee / Child Visas, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S., U.S. Immigration Law and Legislation|

Published:November 17, 2010 Effective November 23, 2010, filing fees for most immigration applications and petitions are set to increase, on average, some 10-15%. On the other hand, filing fees for 6 categories of applications are actually set to be reduced, including for I-129F/Petition for Fiance, I-539/Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document and I-131 – Application for Travel Document – but only when filed for Refugee Travel Document. Also, fee waivers based on an applicant’s economic hardship will be accepted in more types of application categories. Approximately 90% of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ budget comes from […]

27 10, 2010

Updated Version of Certificate of Naturalization

By Richard Hanus|2010-10-27T11:22:50-05:00October 27th, 2010|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)|

Published: October 27, 2010 As of this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services began issuing a new version of the Certificate of Naturalization for newly naturalized immigrants. The new document resembles the previous version, except that certain high tech security features have been added. Prospective applicants for naturalization should know that the procedures for applying for citizenship remain the same, including the requirement that 2 passport type photos still be included with each application – although the application process will now include the capture of an applicant’s digital photo at the time they appear for biometrics fingerprinting. […]

8 05, 2010

Citizenship Options for Individuals Serving in the Armed Forces

By Richard Hanus|2010-05-08T12:42:01-05:00May 8th, 2010|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, U.S. Immigration Law and Legislation|

Citizenship Options for Individuals Serving in the Armed Forces Published: May 8, 2010 Whether you are a lawful permanent resident or simply undocumented, signing up and serving in the U.S. military may pave a quick, and perhaps an otherwise unavailable path, to U.S. citizenship. By way of laws like the National Defense Authorization Acts for fiscal year 2004 and 2008 and the Expedited Naturalization Executive Order of 2002, permanent residents, and undocumented aliens alike, may be eligible for U.S. citizenship no matter how much time they have spent in the U.S., or their legal status. Military based applicants will still need to […]

9 01, 2010

Lou Dobbs Said What?

By Richard Hanus|2010-01-09T21:46:10-06:00January 9th, 2010|Categories: Amnesty for Immigrants in the U.S., Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, Removal / Deportation Proceedings and Court Hearings, Undocumented Immigrants and Workers in the U.S.|

Lou Dobbs Said What? Published: January 9, 2010 When it was announced Lou Dobbs, a controversial television commentator, was leaving CNN, I set out to write a column explaining the significance of his views and departure from CNN and whether the controversy surrounding him is truly warranted. I finished a few drafts but had a difficult time tying together my thoughts and arriving at any meaningful conclusions. However, Dobbs’ recent pronouncements, on Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor, in favor of a legalization program for our country’s undocumented population, prompts me once again to think about Dobbs and the relevance of his views. […]

2 12, 2009

New Immigration Legislation to Benefit Widow(er)s of U.S. Citizens and Other Surviving Family Members of Deceased Petitioners and Applicants; Significant Questions Remain

By Richard Hanus|2009-12-02T12:59:47-06:00December 2nd, 2009|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Family-Based Immigration Law, Green Cards, Immigrant Visas for Spouse / Fiancee / Child Visas, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S., U.S. Immigration Law and Legislation|

New Immigration Legislation to Benefit Widow(er)s of U.S. Citizens and Other Surviving Family Members of Deceased Petitioners and Applicants; Significant Questions Remain Published: December 2, 2009 On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law important immigration provisions to address the unjust consequences of slow Citizenship and Immigration Services processing, particularly relating to widows and widowers of U.S. citizens. The law also includes ameliorative provisions relating to other types of family relationships and petitions; the death of a petitioning US family member or principal beneficiary will no longer necessarily deal a fatal blow to a pending case. With regard to this […]

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